Circular Economy
To meet growing global ambitions on sustainability, both recycling and primary production will be needed to meet demand, which is expected to double by 2050.
Copper, with its infinite life cycle, is a 100 percent recyclable material that can be used over and over again without any loss of its chemical or physical properties.
A truly circular economy reduces the consumption of natural resources, energy use, waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by utilizing sustainable and circular materials that maximize the potential of circular systems, which are supported by circular value chains.
Copper plays a key role in a circular society. As a durable, versatile and infinitely recyclable material, copper provides longevity to a wide range of applications that can be recycled at their end-of-life (EoL) and reintroduced into productive use.
Copper’s applications are drivers of the green transition, enabling renewable energy systems, energy efficiency and sustainable buildings that reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Circular value chains that decrease pollution and waste in pre-consumer operations and post-consumer recycling further lower the environmental impact of copper’s applications.
COPPER IS A CIRCULAR MATERIAL
Copper's natural properties make it ideal for circular applications. Through its ability to be infinitely recycled without any loss of its chemical or physical properties, copper is the material of choice for sustainable and recyclable applications.
COPPER ENABLES CIRCULAR SYSTEMS
important to decarbonization, such as energy storage systems, smart grid technologies and heat pumps, which minimize or eliminate waste and pollution.
ICA MEMBERS PRACTICE CIRCULARITY
in the production and use of copper, from reducing and reusing natural resources and waste in operations to employing efforts to close the loop for recycling.
ICA members, together with copper value chain, collaborate closely with global policymakers, consumers and NGOs to close the loop on copper recycling.
On average, 26.7 million tonnes of copper were used globally each year from 2009 to 2018. During this time, a total of approximately 8.7 million tonnes of copper per year came from the recycling of “old” scrap (i.e., post-consumer copper contained in EoL products) and “new” scrap (i.e., pre-consumer copper scrap generated during production and manufacturing processes).
ICA members are using cutting-edge technologies and innovative recycling processes, such as introducing scrap metals into the smelting process to recycle valuable raw materials and enhance efficiencies. This includes recycling intricate electronic devices and other increasingly complex products.
Did You Know?
Recycling copper requires 85 percent less energy
than primary productionand reduces CO2 emissions.
32 percent of global copper demand
is met with recycled copper.
40 percent of copper is recycled
at product end of life. When pre-consumer scrap is added, this number reaches 56 percent.
ICA Members recycle 4 million tonnes
of post-consumer scrap annually, as of 2018.
Circular Economy Resources
Filter Resources
Circular Copper
A truly circular economy reduces the consumption of natural resources, energy use, waste and greenhouse…
Advancing the Circular Economy with Copper
LS MnM Inc. Contributes to the Circular Economy Through ESG Partnership with SK Networks
International Copper Association (ICA) member, LS MnM Inc., is promoting circular practices in South Korea…
No Resources Lost: The Circular Opportunity of Industrial Symbiosis
By working together, industries can reduce waste by finding applications for byproducts of production, or…
By working together, industries can reduce waste by repurposing or finding applications for byproducts of production....
Industrial Symbiosis: Copper Byproduct Iron Silicate Reduces Carbon Emissions in Construction Industry
Copper byproduct iron silicate reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry through industrial symbiosis.
Copper byproduct iron silicate reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry through industrial symbiosis....
Industrial Symbiosis: Reusing EV Batteries for Energy Storage Systems Can Extend Lifetime of Copper Applications
Through industrial symbiosis, reusing EV Batteries for energy storage systems can extend the lifetime of copper applications.
Through industrial symbiosis, reusing EV Batteries for energy storage systems can extend the lifetime of copper applications....
Press Release: New Research Reveals Opportunities for Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry
Industrial Symbiosis opportunities for the copper sector
Quantification through an LCA study and a market analysis for two opportunities ...
JX Nippon Mining and Metals Works to Build a Recycling-Oriented Society
International Copper Association (ICA) member JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corporation is committed to building…
Aurubis Plans First Smelter for Multimetal Recycling in the U.S.
International Copper Association (ICA) member Aurubis is expanding its international operations and building a new…
Circular Production Practices Advance Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry
ICA Members Rio Tinto, Aurubis and Boliden Take the Lead Industrial symbiosis, the concept of…
Copper Recycling
The Importance of Recycling During the past decade, strong growth in emerging economies, coupled with…
Circular Economy Cube Infographic
Copper is infinite & can be recycled with no loss of properties. A sustainable material pivotal to build the circular economy...
Circular Copper Recycling in China: Current Practices and Future Trends
China has announced its net-zero target for carbon emissions by 2060. To meet this goal,…
Commitment to the Circular Economy and Urban Mining Drives Copper Recycling in China
Sustainability is at the forefront of China’s plans. The 14th Five-Year plan outlines targets for climate…